By John Lam Building Law • Real Estate • • • • • 0 Comments

Paradox of “Area” in Building of Hong Kong

There are a ranges of terms from “Usable Floor Area / space – UFA , “Saleable Area – SA ” , “Gross Floor Area – GFA “, ” Internal Floor Area – IFA” , “Common Area – CA”, “Lettable Area – LA ” and “Construction Floor Area – CFA” to describe and present the “area” of the space in numerical way. The confusion of amongst these terms stems from the different definition of their respective legal context, code of practice and the application. In short, “Usable Floor Area” is originated from Buildings Ordinance for population estimation in a proposed space whereas the Saleable area is for property conveyance in First Hand sale. The “Common Area” is the idea coming from Deed of Mutual Covenant and Building Management Ordinance. On the contrary, “Construction Floor Area” is for construction cost estimation and this area covers also the ceiling and wall face area.

Hong Kong Institute of Surveyor has published the “Code of Measuring Practice” MPracticeCode-199903 (1) There has laid some quick understanding to the “area”.

residential area of the city at dusk,bird’s eye view

 

 

By Cindy Kwok Market Insight • Real Estate • • • 0 Comments

Insight from Financial Time – Tech stock rally turns Nasdaq positive for the year

Financial times told us “resilient” found in telecommunication giant. In the world of highly interdependent, the real estate expert and professional services almost needs to resort telecommunication to leverage their efficiency and accuracy. GBE believes the real estate and digital are not mutually exclusive. More to explore.

Credit:

https://www.ft.com/content/15aa4ce4-8a0d-46dc-a461-aa60207031d6?fbclid=IwAR0xUE2RyKAWxcvU9eqelt206484jgrgws62YRmJQamVGn7K9Da-X5GqEFM

 

By Cindy Kwok Real Estate • • 0 Comments

Know More about Timber Formworks

Timber formworks is the most common for concreting. In general specification of government Edition 2017 GS 2017-02, section 6 emphasizes the formworks requirements. Seldom is discussed the requirement for basic component of formworks and how it affects the construction quality.

The stratum, the propping, falsework, crossing bracing, head tree, purlin/runner and plywood soffit are all critical components to affect the formworks stability, concrete quality, the finishes level and the subsequent follow up works.

 

Credit:

Drawing extracted from R.Chudley 2nd Ed Building Construction Handbook.

Photo : Construction Project under GBE inspection.

By Cindy Kwok Asset Enhancement • Real Estate • • • 0 Comments

Floor Plate Subdivision in Hong Kong Part 1

As a consequence of the market segment happens across the rental market, the demand to some room size is highly concentrated. It makes the landlord to consider the floor plate subdivision for better yield income.

Unfortunately, some essential technical consideration such as DMC restriction, window, provision, HVAC, fire safety code etc are not given strong attention. This ends with the inferior and un-friendly layer. More story to tell from GBE later.

 

By Cindy Kwok Market Insight • Real Estate • • 0 Comments

Insight from Bloomberg – Fed Warns of Significant Hit to Asset Prices If Crisis Grows

GBE agrees very much this headline from Bloomberg. It comes to our attention some institutions have been carrying out silently “de risking” or “de leveraging” in their already heavy-loaded asset portfolio taking the advance that the real estate market out-looks apparently look relatively stable than other investment

 

Credit:

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-05-15/fed-warns-of-significant-hit-to-asset-prices-if-pandemic-grows

By Cindy Kwok Asset Enhancement • Real Estate • • • • 0 Comments

Floor Plate Subdivision in Hong Kong Part 2

Subdivided Units are a ubiquitous type of rental housing in Hong Kong. Landlord always make an arduous effort on bedroom designs but disdain other technical issues. Therefore, some essential technical consideration such as ‘Black Toilet’ emerged.
Typically, it can be tackled by BA16 modification. Have you ever thought about Minor Works?

 

By Cindy Kwok Real Estate • • 0 Comments

Water Seepage Inspection

The water seepage has always been the most panic issue for owners and tenants. The chemical injection has been suggested if the repairing area is limited and no waterproofing membrane can be applied from an exterior wall or above the flooring. After the first chemical injection which the water seepage can happen to other weaken points. Close-up monitoring is necessary for a second or third time. The clients should consider a one-stop solution from inspection to rectification to solve the water seepage issue.